**Document:** Planning Statement **Application:** 25/90456/B — Erection of a new cattle barn **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2025-08-13 **Parish:** Marown **Document Type:** report / planning_statement **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/34173-marown-chibbanagh-farm-st-marks-road-barn/documents/1087130 --- # Planning Statement ## Chibbanagh Farm, St. Marks Road, Braaid, Isle of Man IM4 2AJ ![drawing from page 1](https://images.planningportal.im/2025/05/7140927.png) ![map or plan from page 1](https://images.planningportal.im/2025/05/7140928.jpg) Planning Statement for the Proposed Erection of Cattle Barn at Chibbanagh Farm, Braaid, Isle of Man April 2025 ### Introduction. ![drawing from page 2](https://images.planningportal.im/2025/05/7140929.png) This Planning Statement has been prepared in support of the full planning application for the erection of a new agricultural cattle barn at Chibbanagh Farm, Braaid. The proposal seeks to enhance the operational efficiency of an established livestock farm, ensuring the welfare of the cattle and enabling the farm's continued contribution to the Island's agricultural economy. ### Site and Location Chibbanagh Farm is an existing operational farm located at Braaid, within the Isle of Man countryside. The applicant owns approximately 140 acres of agricultural land, supplemented by a further 100 to 140 acres under lease agreements depending on operational needs. The farm currently supports a livestock holding of over 300 cattle, in addition to sheep and other livestock. The application site is set back from the public highway. It is accessed via an established farm track and is located adjacent to other agricultural buildings within the farm complex. ### The Proposal The proposal is for the construction of a purpose-designed cattle barn that will significantly enhance the farm's infrastructure. The barn will be a modern, robust, and weather-resistant structure that aligns with best practice in agricultural design. It features a galvanised steel portal frame primary structure, chosen for its strength, longevity, and ease of maintenance. Side elevations will be clad with Yorkshire boarding, allowing for natural ventilation and airflow which is essential for maintaining a healthy environment for livestock. Front and rear elevations will utilise green plastisol-coated box profile steel sheeting, providing durability and visual harmony with the rural surroundings. The base of the building will incorporate precast concrete panels to a height of approximately 1.8 to 2 metres, ensuring resilience against livestock impact and ease of cleaning. The roof will be covered with fibre cement profiled sheeting, including translucent panels to maximise natural daylight within the interior. This design helps regulate temperature and reduces the need for artificial lighting. Internally, the layout has been carefully planned to support efficient agricultural operations. The barn will include designated cattle pens, a wide central feed passage to allow machinery access, dedicated scrape passages for waste collection, and a bedding store. Doors and gates are strategically positioned to facilitate safe livestock movement and effective segregation, while separation panels provide necessary division between groups. The barn will be erected directly behind the existing farm structures, effectively screening it from the roadside and minimising visual impact from the public highway. This siting ensures the development remains visually integrated with the overall farmstead. This development represents a critical step in supporting the scale and ambition of the farm enterprise. The barn will be located in close proximity to existing structures, maintaining a coherent and compact farm layout and minimising landscape impact. The materials and form are in keeping with the surrounding rural context, and the design reflects the operational requirements of a large-scale livestock unit. ### Planning Policy Context The Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 and relevant area plans support proposals which maintain and support the rural economy, promote the efficient operation of existing agricultural enterprises, respect the character and appearance of the countryside, and minimise adverse environmental impact. The proposed cattle barn meets these policy objectives by enhancing the farm's operational capabilities, improving livestock welfare, and supporting the sustainability of an agricultural business without detriment to the surrounding landscape. ### Justification for Development The development is essential for the farm to manage its significant livestock numbers efficiently and humanely. Previously, the farm relied on rented external facilities to accommodate the livestock, which enabled the operation to manage peak stockholding demands effectively. However, earlier this year, these external facilities were sold, and as a result, this option is no longer available to the applicant. This loss of supplementary accommodation has ![drawing from page 3](https://images.planningportal.im/2025/05/7140930.png) placed considerable strain on the farm’s existing infrastructure, making it imperative to establish new on-site facilities to house the livestock. The new barn will provide an appropriately scaled, modern structure for the safe, hygienic, and welfare-focused housing of cattle, especially during winter months and periods of inclement weather. It will allow for improved biosecurity, reduce the risk of disease, and enable better control of feeding and bedding practices. The proposed building will also improve labour efficiency by consolidating operations within a single, purpose-built structure, thereby supporting the long-term viability of the farm business. Cattle have to be kept to a high standard and farm assured in order to be eligible for processing through Isle of Man Meats. Over 200 cattle are fattened and sent to Isle of Man Meats annually, highlighting the importance of maintaining a controlled and hygienic environment which meets industry requirements. The new barn will directly support this standard of care. In terms of site management, the soil to be excavated for the construction of the new shed will not be removed from the site. Instead, it will be repurposed within the existing shed to raise the internal floor levels of the enclosures, improving drainage and usability. As such, the development will be selfcontained in its use of materials and not require off-site disposal. In line with the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016, particularly Strategic Policy 2 which supports the continuation and growth of existing rural enterprises, this development reinforces the Island’s goal of a thriving and sustainable rural economy. Moreover, it is consistent with Environmental Policy 1, as it ensures continued agricultural use of the land while preserving the landscape character through the use of sympathetic materials and appropriate siting. By investing in the required infrastructure, the applicant is future-proofing the farm’s core livestock operations. This will support the Island's food security and strengthen its agricultural resilience, in accordance with Strategic Policy 1, which encourages development that sustains the quality of life and environment on the Island. ![drawing from page 4](https://images.planningportal.im/2025/05/7140931.png) ### Impact Assessment ![drawing from page 5](https://images.planningportal.im/2025/05/7140932.png) Landscape and Visual Impact: The barn has been sensitively designed with appropriate rural materials and finishes (green cladding, timber boarding) to blend into its agricultural setting. Amenity Impact: The site is remote from residential properties, ensuring no adverse impacts through noise, odour, or visual intrusion. Access and Transport: There will be no changes to existing access arrangements. The proposal will not materially increase traffic generation. Ecology and Drainage: The site is previously disturbed agricultural land, and the development will incorporate standard surface water drainage measures to mitigate any runoff. ### Conclusion This proposal represents a necessary and proportionate development in support of an established, operational farm enterprise. It is consistent with local planning policy, will safeguard the Island's rural economy, and is designed to minimise environmental and visual impact. Accordingly, we respectfully request that planning permission be granted. --- *Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).* *Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/34173-marown-chibbanagh-farm-st-marks-road-barn/documents/1087130*